We are working toward schooling shows in January.
15.11.07
pony post
The only thing I have been doing is riding, so that is all I have to write about. Imax is doing great, like usual. He is learning to canter and is stretching and rounding. This is blurry but you can see how nice and flat his topline is (relatively!!) He is even on the right lead!
We are working toward schooling shows in January.
We are working toward schooling shows in January.
23.10.07
I have a crush on my horse.
Imax is doing so good, I am so proud of him.
This is a Then and Now photo. The one on the right is one I took when I was looking for a horse. The one on the left was taken yesterday, October 22.
click for big.
He still has a pointy croup, I don't think that will ever go entirely away, but his hindquarters are muscling up nicely. He has also gained about 100 pounds or more, which also helps. It is great to see this progress.
AND I got a new saddle. Which I also am enamored with.
It is a Stubben Juventus, in BLACK. Sexy.
I got it yesterday, and we had our first lesson in it. It made a HUGE difference. Jill had us do 20 minute trot sets with almost to no contact. For about five minutes, we were even on the buckle. Not the most beautiful circles you have ever seen, but he was responsive to my leg, and most importantly, pretty much stayed in frame. I hope to replicate this wonder when we ride tonight.
I can hardly wait.
This is a Then and Now photo. The one on the right is one I took when I was looking for a horse. The one on the left was taken yesterday, October 22.
click for big.
He still has a pointy croup, I don't think that will ever go entirely away, but his hindquarters are muscling up nicely. He has also gained about 100 pounds or more, which also helps. It is great to see this progress.
AND I got a new saddle. Which I also am enamored with.
It is a Stubben Juventus, in BLACK. Sexy.
I got it yesterday, and we had our first lesson in it. It made a HUGE difference. Jill had us do 20 minute trot sets with almost to no contact. For about five minutes, we were even on the buckle. Not the most beautiful circles you have ever seen, but he was responsive to my leg, and most importantly, pretty much stayed in frame. I hope to replicate this wonder when we ride tonight.
I can hardly wait.
18.10.07
Chatty news about our weekend
Scott and I went to Benton City this last weekend, to make wine at Hightower Cellars. We had a good time, and the wine making process is interesting and all but ...
We left on Friday and meandered over the mountanins. The trees were doing their fall thing and it was very pretty. We decided to take the canyon road from E-town to Yakima (the Palm Springs of Washington). We went on a walk in the Uptanum Recreational area - I forgot my camera for this part.
We drove past our exit to Benton City, a rare occurrance of Scott getting a bit lost. Seriously, he had a piece of magnitite in his head. Once we were camping, and I woke up in the middle of the night, with Scott kitty-corner across the tent, leaving me just a little sliver of pad to sleep on. I woke him up, telling him to scoot over, and he said - out of a dead sleep - "Sorry, I was aligning myself to magnetic north." True story. Anyhow missing our exit got us some great views of mysterious, scary looking Compounds along the freeway. I guess you had to be there.
We got to the Winery around 6:00. It was really pretty .
Jay took us on a tour of the place, and showed us how to punch down the grapes.
One of the owners possibly Republican but definitely humorless relatives were also visiting for the weekend, so I mostly kept my mouth shut the whole time I was there. Scoot wisely followed suit. These folks were a chatty bunch, as long as you stuck to your Alma Matter, Baseball, and passing the Bar exam. They had no time for cracks about Alaska or Cats of Chocolate, I soon found out.
We picked grapes in the morning
and crushed in the afternoon
There were four big dogs there, so that added to the pandimonium, but King was really good with the crowd of people.
We worked really hard and got all six tons of grapes crushed on Saturday
so we left early on Sunday after getting paid in Hightower Wine. Yum.
We meandered home, going through Prosser, Mabton, Toppinish, Wapato, back to Toppinish (long not interesting story) and decided to go home via SR 410, White pass. Again, very pretty, again no pictures.
All in all, we had a great weekend.
We left on Friday and meandered over the mountanins. The trees were doing their fall thing and it was very pretty. We decided to take the canyon road from E-town to Yakima (the Palm Springs of Washington). We went on a walk in the Uptanum Recreational area - I forgot my camera for this part.
We drove past our exit to Benton City, a rare occurrance of Scott getting a bit lost. Seriously, he had a piece of magnitite in his head. Once we were camping, and I woke up in the middle of the night, with Scott kitty-corner across the tent, leaving me just a little sliver of pad to sleep on. I woke him up, telling him to scoot over, and he said - out of a dead sleep - "Sorry, I was aligning myself to magnetic north." True story. Anyhow missing our exit got us some great views of mysterious, scary looking Compounds along the freeway. I guess you had to be there.
We got to the Winery around 6:00. It was really pretty .
Jay took us on a tour of the place, and showed us how to punch down the grapes.
One of the owners possibly Republican but definitely humorless relatives were also visiting for the weekend, so I mostly kept my mouth shut the whole time I was there. Scoot wisely followed suit. These folks were a chatty bunch, as long as you stuck to your Alma Matter, Baseball, and passing the Bar exam. They had no time for cracks about Alaska or Cats of Chocolate, I soon found out.
We picked grapes in the morning
and crushed in the afternoon
There were four big dogs there, so that added to the pandimonium, but King was really good with the crowd of people.
We worked really hard and got all six tons of grapes crushed on Saturday
so we left early on Sunday after getting paid in Hightower Wine. Yum. We meandered home, going through Prosser, Mabton, Toppinish, Wapato, back to Toppinish (long not interesting story) and decided to go home via SR 410, White pass. Again, very pretty, again no pictures.
All in all, we had a great weekend.
25.9.07
Contorted Hazlenut - Harry Louder's walking stick
Carolyn and I went to Swanson's Nursery this Sunday to pick out a tree to remember my mom. My lovely co-workers got together and gave me a gift certificate so I could get her something nice. I know she would love this tree.
12.9.07
Imax at the Sea
Oh my god Imax was a CHAMP. We went to Ocean Shores pn Sept 8th with nine other horses and riders. He had never been to the beach before.
We rode in the WATER and even cantered in the water.
I sort of tricked him into the water, we were in the middle of the pack of horses, and there were non-spastic horses around him, and they just normally kept walking when the water came up, and he suddenly realized - hey! the ground is WET!! He snorted and shimmied around, would stop suddenly and then just as suddenly start. But he calmed down pretty quickly and more or less normally walk trot, and cantered in two inches of water.
But at first when we got there, even damp sand was highly suspect and he had to shy around the patches until he realized all of the whole ground was nothing but damp sand, and then he started to forget about the shying.
We also went up and down sand dunes, all over the beach. After about two hours though, he decided he had had enough, and had a little spaz and would only walk sideways. So we just went the rest of the way to the trailer sideways. It wasn't nearly as fun for him when I was Telling him to go sideways, though.
Then in our afternoon ride we went for a gallop (!!!!) and he is FAST. I was holding him with all my strength, and he still passed everybody. I can't imagine how fast he would have gone if I'd let him go. Scary! But when I started asking him to stop, he did (eventually) but then he was so keyed up he sort of did this little jog/prance thing - he was a hit with the civillians on the beach. Lots of phone pictures of us out there now.
This is the only photo I got the whole time, I was too busy hanging on to take pictures...
Anyhow, so much fun. He is such a good boy.
We rode in the WATER and even cantered in the water.
I sort of tricked him into the water, we were in the middle of the pack of horses, and there were non-spastic horses around him, and they just normally kept walking when the water came up, and he suddenly realized - hey! the ground is WET!! He snorted and shimmied around, would stop suddenly and then just as suddenly start. But he calmed down pretty quickly and more or less normally walk trot, and cantered in two inches of water.
But at first when we got there, even damp sand was highly suspect and he had to shy around the patches until he realized all of the whole ground was nothing but damp sand, and then he started to forget about the shying.
We also went up and down sand dunes, all over the beach. After about two hours though, he decided he had had enough, and had a little spaz and would only walk sideways. So we just went the rest of the way to the trailer sideways. It wasn't nearly as fun for him when I was Telling him to go sideways, though.
Then in our afternoon ride we went for a gallop (!!!!) and he is FAST. I was holding him with all my strength, and he still passed everybody. I can't imagine how fast he would have gone if I'd let him go. Scary! But when I started asking him to stop, he did (eventually) but then he was so keyed up he sort of did this little jog/prance thing - he was a hit with the civillians on the beach. Lots of phone pictures of us out there now.
This is the only photo I got the whole time, I was too busy hanging on to take pictures...
Anyhow, so much fun. He is such a good boy.
6.9.07
Derby at Tulip Sprngs
This last weekend I went to the Tulip Springs Derby to lend a hand to my friend Kerry. It was her first Derby with her excellent Draft-cross, Olive. Her show name is Orange Crush, which I think is cute and funny. I met some nice people from the Area VII Adult riders - actually they seem more crazy and fun than "nice".
We had an excellent time, and I can hardly wait until I get to go to these sorts of events with Imax. There is supposed to be another Adult Event Camp and Derby in the Spring, so I am hoping we can make it to that one.
I finally had my first lesson on Imax with Jill, and he was a total gentleman, which is good, except that I wanted to show Jill the getting behind the bit problem and his off-balance canter to the right. I know how to push him up into the bit, it is just a matter of getting strong enough, but I don't know what to do about the weird sloppy counter-canter to the right. Oh well.
Imax and I are going to Ocean Shores this Saturday, I am interested to see how he reacts to the Biggest, Scariest Puddle in the World, aka: the Ocean.
We had an excellent time, and I can hardly wait until I get to go to these sorts of events with Imax. There is supposed to be another Adult Event Camp and Derby in the Spring, so I am hoping we can make it to that one.
I finally had my first lesson on Imax with Jill, and he was a total gentleman, which is good, except that I wanted to show Jill the getting behind the bit problem and his off-balance canter to the right. I know how to push him up into the bit, it is just a matter of getting strong enough, but I don't know what to do about the weird sloppy counter-canter to the right. Oh well.
Imax and I are going to Ocean Shores this Saturday, I am interested to see how he reacts to the Biggest, Scariest Puddle in the World, aka: the Ocean.
22.8.07
21.8.07
9.8.07
I am so honored!
Miss Eva Lake, of Art World Radio podcast fame and blogger extraordinaire, (the dedication! the productivity! the passion! how does she do it?) has used one of my paintings to illustrate one of her posts.
If you offend easily, don't click here.
Neat!
p.s. and if you clicked through to Carolyn's post referenced by Eva, all I have to say is "ditto".
If you offend easily, don't click here.
Neat!
p.s. and if you clicked through to Carolyn's post referenced by Eva, all I have to say is "ditto".
1.8.07
A rough couple of days
The day after Mom passed away, I went to the barn to take Imax for a ride. It was relatively early in the morning and he had just been put in the pasture. i walked through the barn to the pasture to fetch him, and he saw me at the gate. He was on the far side of the pasture over by the mares where he always is (he is such a gigolo). he started walking to me, like he always does (he is a dream to catch, comes to you and puts his nose in the halter.) It looked like he was limping, and as he got closer, I saw blood running down his leg.
He had a two-inch gash on the inside of his left knee. I freaked out a bit, I certainly was not emotionally ready to deal with a bleeding, lame horse.
I washed the cut, ran cold water over it, and put some antiseptic on, and Mark, one of the barn owners, kindly called a Vet for me. When she called back, she basically told me what we were doing was ok, except I should get him a tetanus shot, which I did. A friend of mine Kerry, gave me a bunch of first aid supplies including Bute and some good advice. So I have been washing it out every day, running cold water over it for 15 - 20 minutes and putting a homeopathic salve on it that is also a topical anesthetic (sp??). I wasn't wrapping it for a while because it was pretty swollen. It has stopped actively swelling. So I wrapped it today.
The only thing I can figure what happened is he got into a fight with one of the other geldings in the pasture, and he got the worse end of it. It is not so surprising, he is really an instigator, he immediately challenges the dominate horse in the pasture and then wants to boss everyone else around. I may have to re-think him being turned out at all. Erin, his former owner stopped turning him out because he came back with a new scrape every time. I have to admit, he had a new ding nearly every day I have had him, too.
I realise this post is kind of boring to anyone but me, but believe me this is the abbreviated story - The wrap/don't wrap saga alone could fill this page and more.
So anyhow, I am grounded for at least another week to ten days. The up side is we are just hanging out getting to know each other. He is quite charming and funny.
He had a two-inch gash on the inside of his left knee. I freaked out a bit, I certainly was not emotionally ready to deal with a bleeding, lame horse.
I washed the cut, ran cold water over it, and put some antiseptic on, and Mark, one of the barn owners, kindly called a Vet for me. When she called back, she basically told me what we were doing was ok, except I should get him a tetanus shot, which I did. A friend of mine Kerry, gave me a bunch of first aid supplies including Bute and some good advice. So I have been washing it out every day, running cold water over it for 15 - 20 minutes and putting a homeopathic salve on it that is also a topical anesthetic (sp??). I wasn't wrapping it for a while because it was pretty swollen. It has stopped actively swelling. So I wrapped it today.
The only thing I can figure what happened is he got into a fight with one of the other geldings in the pasture, and he got the worse end of it. It is not so surprising, he is really an instigator, he immediately challenges the dominate horse in the pasture and then wants to boss everyone else around. I may have to re-think him being turned out at all. Erin, his former owner stopped turning him out because he came back with a new scrape every time. I have to admit, he had a new ding nearly every day I have had him, too.
I realise this post is kind of boring to anyone but me, but believe me this is the abbreviated story - The wrap/don't wrap saga alone could fill this page and more.
So anyhow, I am grounded for at least another week to ten days. The up side is we are just hanging out getting to know each other. He is quite charming and funny.
26.7.07
Deloris Alice (Forsythe) Franz, 9/7/1940 - 7/25/2007
My mom, Dee passed away yesterday July 25th 2007 at 2:30 a.m.. My dad, Wayne was by her side.
Our immediate family - Colette, Larry, Lacy, Caitlyn, Tristan, Scott and myself, all met last Sunday, to say our private goodbyes to her. We each took turns talking to her while the rest of us waited in the 5th wheel trailer, so everyone had privacy and as much time as they needed to say whatever they needed to say to her. I feel pretty much like I was able to let her know how sorry, grateful, happy, indebted, sad, scared, excited, loved I felt, and all the other family members I spoke to felt the same.
I think she knew it was okay to go after that.
Scott and I decided to go up and see her again on Tuesday, Scott had the day off and I had no problem getting the time off, (because where I work, they realize we are human beings and we are treated accordingly). I had a premonition about ten or so days ago, that mom would die on the 25th, and had told Scott. But after seeing her on Sunday I was not so sure. Scott, however, was treating that day like she had an appointment or something and of course that is when she would go. Between him and my friend Margo, they convinced me that we really needed to go see her Tuesday.
She seemed very busy, there was alot going on inside her. The nurse came by and let us know how we could make her more comfortable, and assured us the things we were doing were right. She estimated mom had another couple of days - but I was not so sure. Scott and I stayed throughout the afternoon, sitting with her, talking to Dad, and reading. When we left, I kissed her and told her I would be back tomorrow.
Dad called us at 7:00 am Wednesday to let us know mom had passed away early in the morning.
When we got to mom and dad's house, Colette's family and Carmen and Larry were already there. It was great to have everyone there, we all got to cry together, and sit and talk. I went in to see mom's body, but it was amazing how she was so much not there. We all gravitated to the garden, because that is where she was.
We all sat and ate and talked all day, and it turned into every other family gathering, with us all joking, and the dogs running around and we all had a very nice time.
Bye, Mom, I love you.
Our immediate family - Colette, Larry, Lacy, Caitlyn, Tristan, Scott and myself, all met last Sunday, to say our private goodbyes to her. We each took turns talking to her while the rest of us waited in the 5th wheel trailer, so everyone had privacy and as much time as they needed to say whatever they needed to say to her. I feel pretty much like I was able to let her know how sorry, grateful, happy, indebted, sad, scared, excited, loved I felt, and all the other family members I spoke to felt the same.
I think she knew it was okay to go after that.
Scott and I decided to go up and see her again on Tuesday, Scott had the day off and I had no problem getting the time off, (because where I work, they realize we are human beings and we are treated accordingly). I had a premonition about ten or so days ago, that mom would die on the 25th, and had told Scott. But after seeing her on Sunday I was not so sure. Scott, however, was treating that day like she had an appointment or something and of course that is when she would go. Between him and my friend Margo, they convinced me that we really needed to go see her Tuesday.
She seemed very busy, there was alot going on inside her. The nurse came by and let us know how we could make her more comfortable, and assured us the things we were doing were right. She estimated mom had another couple of days - but I was not so sure. Scott and I stayed throughout the afternoon, sitting with her, talking to Dad, and reading. When we left, I kissed her and told her I would be back tomorrow.
Dad called us at 7:00 am Wednesday to let us know mom had passed away early in the morning.
When we got to mom and dad's house, Colette's family and Carmen and Larry were already there. It was great to have everyone there, we all got to cry together, and sit and talk. I went in to see mom's body, but it was amazing how she was so much not there. We all gravitated to the garden, because that is where she was.
We all sat and ate and talked all day, and it turned into every other family gathering, with us all joking, and the dogs running around and we all had a very nice time.
Bye, Mom, I love you.
17.7.07
Imax news
Imax is settling in nicely, and has a fan club with some of the little girls who take lessons at Pony Tail. On Sunday, one of them updated me on his every move, and informed me that he likes apples.
Since Saturday was a settling in day, I just worked with him on the ground, mostly leading him around the barn and in the arenas, learning to whoa and back up when I tell him. I think I need a stud chain, he will drag me around if he feels like it. Erin (former owner) said you just have to put one on him, and that makes him calm right down and listen attentively. I have been using the lead-rope around his nose like a stud chain and that works just as well, but having that clunky clasp over his nose looks so mean.
Sunday morning we went for our first ride at PTR, and he was a very good boy. I started him in the round pen, pushing and chasing him a bit, until he was "chewing" and then he followed me around for a while.
He was mostly patient when I was tacking him up, since my tack is new for him, everything needed adjusting, so it took a while - also periodically and randomly picking up his feet. He is getting the idea that I will ask him for a foot at the oddest times.
We had a nice little hack around the jumping arena, and trotted some poles, and he did that just fine. I rode him all around the barn, and down the street about a block; he did great and I decided to quit while ahead.
Then yesterday, after work I decided to take him on the Lake Young trail, and getting down there he was fine, but once on the trail, he started throwing his head around and refusing to go forward. I circled him and kept asking him to go, and he did have a number of flip-outs. No bucking or rearing, but throwing his head around and backing up. When I would get him going forward, just about the time I would think he had been going nicely and we could turn around, he would flip out again. So our little trail ride turned into a test of wills. I finally had a good stretch of going forward and got to turn around. Once back at the barn, I had dismounted thinking to walk him around the arena to cool off, and he did the "drag me around" thing again. So, I put him in the round pen and ran his butt off, and got him following me around like a little puppy. I walked him and brushed him - gave him some carrots and we ended on a good note.
Speculation on what caused the bad behavior - There were a TON of mosquitoes, and he didn't like them, and also I think he has a sore spot on the girth line on the right side. I noticed he would react by flipping his head and lipping when I brushed that area. So today will be a day off from riding, more ground work. Also, since his wither is so high, the saddle slides back quite a bit by the end of the ride - I need to put some more holes in the breastcollar to help keep it in place. Even before I noticed him reacting to being touched on the girthline, I have not been cinching him down super tight, just enough to keep the saddle on - maybe too loose and the saddle is joggling around on his back. All things to watch in the future.
All in all everything is going just fine. I have already cried twice and beaten myself up for not buying Monty the paint. And then I go and see Imax and start to feel better.
Since Saturday was a settling in day, I just worked with him on the ground, mostly leading him around the barn and in the arenas, learning to whoa and back up when I tell him. I think I need a stud chain, he will drag me around if he feels like it. Erin (former owner) said you just have to put one on him, and that makes him calm right down and listen attentively. I have been using the lead-rope around his nose like a stud chain and that works just as well, but having that clunky clasp over his nose looks so mean.
Sunday morning we went for our first ride at PTR, and he was a very good boy. I started him in the round pen, pushing and chasing him a bit, until he was "chewing" and then he followed me around for a while.
He was mostly patient when I was tacking him up, since my tack is new for him, everything needed adjusting, so it took a while - also periodically and randomly picking up his feet. He is getting the idea that I will ask him for a foot at the oddest times.
We had a nice little hack around the jumping arena, and trotted some poles, and he did that just fine. I rode him all around the barn, and down the street about a block; he did great and I decided to quit while ahead.
Then yesterday, after work I decided to take him on the Lake Young trail, and getting down there he was fine, but once on the trail, he started throwing his head around and refusing to go forward. I circled him and kept asking him to go, and he did have a number of flip-outs. No bucking or rearing, but throwing his head around and backing up. When I would get him going forward, just about the time I would think he had been going nicely and we could turn around, he would flip out again. So our little trail ride turned into a test of wills. I finally had a good stretch of going forward and got to turn around. Once back at the barn, I had dismounted thinking to walk him around the arena to cool off, and he did the "drag me around" thing again. So, I put him in the round pen and ran his butt off, and got him following me around like a little puppy. I walked him and brushed him - gave him some carrots and we ended on a good note.
Speculation on what caused the bad behavior - There were a TON of mosquitoes, and he didn't like them, and also I think he has a sore spot on the girth line on the right side. I noticed he would react by flipping his head and lipping when I brushed that area. So today will be a day off from riding, more ground work. Also, since his wither is so high, the saddle slides back quite a bit by the end of the ride - I need to put some more holes in the breastcollar to help keep it in place. Even before I noticed him reacting to being touched on the girthline, I have not been cinching him down super tight, just enough to keep the saddle on - maybe too loose and the saddle is joggling around on his back. All things to watch in the future.
All in all everything is going just fine. I have already cried twice and beaten myself up for not buying Monty the paint. And then I go and see Imax and start to feel better.
12.7.07
Oh dear.
I keep getting struck with bouts of panic. I will just be sitting here and suddenly my skin feels like it doesn't fit and I have to sit quietly with my hands over my eyes for a moment until I get it together enough to be able to not scream a little.
You see, I have bought a horse.
The very horse in this picture.
His name is Imax. He is five.
He was bred for the track, but was weeded out before he was ever started.
From there, he was bought by a woman who "cowboyed" him around a little too much, and he didn't like it. Started trying to buck her off. She got scared of him and basically put him in a stall for a year.
She finally got tired of feeding him so decided to sell him at auction. The owner of Woodenview stables offered to buy him instead. I am not sure what she planned on doing with him, but a girl working at her barn, Erin, bought him from her. Three weeks later, her boyfriend got accepted to a grad school in University in Southern California. She decided to go with - and Imax had to go back up for sale.
I saw his ad on Dreamhorse:
Has been jumped over a few things & shows interest. I am moving to San Diego Aug 1st and unfortunately not able to take my baby with me! He is registered but previous owner lost the papers supposedly(very annoying). He's never raced, green but has a few months of training under him and really is just a big baby. I have tried him on a few jumps and he will jump and with training would probably make a great jumper. He needs an advanced rider or an intermediate rider with proof of a trainer as I want him finished properly. I have a trainer I work with regularly and will continue until sale. I can ride him English walk, trot, canter -he has real smooth gates, a nice sitting trot all will just get better! He has been to a basic level walk trot show, he clips, loads, lunges, bathes and loves to be groomed. Has been on trails, dogs & traffic didn't seem to bother him. Great personality, good with other horses. A real lover!!
If he passes the Vet check tomorrow, I take delivery that afternoon.
Oh dear. I need to cover my eyes for just a moment. Excuse me.
19.6.07
Dragonwort
I have taken refuge in the garden this year, even more than usual. Every new flower that blooms is breathlessly anticipated, and hugely celebrated when it finally opens.
I was afraid I had lost this strange and fabulous plant. It was a volunteer from the back yard; it was growing right outside the bedroom window. When we had to put in new French drains this spring, I had to relocate it. But, it was a champ and pulled through, as you can see.
it is related to the Corpse Flower. Thankfully though, Dragonwort (aka Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris, or Voodoo Lily) only smells like a rotting rat for a day. I love this plant!
I was afraid I had lost this strange and fabulous plant. It was a volunteer from the back yard; it was growing right outside the bedroom window. When we had to put in new French drains this spring, I had to relocate it. But, it was a champ and pulled through, as you can see.
it is related to the Corpse Flower. Thankfully though, Dragonwort (aka Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris, or Voodoo Lily) only smells like a rotting rat for a day. I love this plant!
31.5.07
THAT, my friend, is a chandelier
Scott and I went to 2nd Use and got this light fixture.
It is missing little crystals that dangle on top. I think I will get these.
I love it.
It is missing little crystals that dangle on top. I think I will get these.
I love it.
17.5.07
My favorite things
I was just lurking visiting over at Crazy Aunt Purl's blog, and she spends this entry talking about her favorite things. This got me thinking about what my favorite things are. The things that just make me happy. Now since we are talking things here, the biggies on my happy list, like Scott, and my family and my kitty cats, and my dog don't count.
Now, I have been really trying to have a carpe deim attitude lately, so I thought I would make a top 5 list what makes me happy.
In no particular order:
These are not necessarily the top five things - although I think they are. Just five things I can think of that make me happy.
Now, I have been really trying to have a carpe deim attitude lately, so I thought I would make a top 5 list what makes me happy.
In no particular order:
- My garden. I try to spend 5 minutes every morning, when it is not raining, being in my garden - seeing what new has bloomed, and appreciating how beautiful it is. No bad thoughts are allowed. I can't worry over why not a single Calla Lilly came up, and neither has my anxiously awaited Mrs Black. Oh well.
- My sparkly glasses. Mine are the ones on the upper right.
- Survivor. Seriously, I love this show. The guy I want to win always gets voted out at the last minute, (Yau-Man! I loved him!) But Earl winning was okay. And Dreamz back-stabbing was excellent! Even though it was Yau he stabbed.
-
My palm pilot. More specifically the scrabble game on my palm pilot.
edit: Okay I cannot believe I didn't think of this yesterday, but definitely one thing that is making me very happy right now is our new floor. And there is even more of it now, as Scott has finished the Kitchen. I need to get a picture of that. - Teh innernets. How did I live without Wikipedia? and lol cats? (And Zappos and craigslist and ebay and cruel and blogs and email and google maps...)
These are not necessarily the top five things - although I think they are. Just five things I can think of that make me happy.
14.5.07
Still in the running toward becoming America's next top model.
So, I tried Dakota for a week - I would have liked to have had him a little longer, but his owner person had a vet appointment and farrier for him this Thursday, so she said if I didn't want him she needed him back before then.
He and I were just starting to get to know each other, and in fact I think had a major breakthrough the night before he went back home. I was supposed to have him until Sunday, but when I told the owner lady on friday I wanted to send him home, she wanted to come and get him the next morning at 8:00am. She was pretty pissed off at me, which was unfair of her I think -- I told her I had wanted to try another horse -- it didn't mean I was not going to get Dakota... But the more I think about it, the more I think I am just done with that whole thing...
I mean I could only try him a week, she was selling him with him needing shots and ferrier, she did not listen when I told her I wanted to try a couple of horses - Did she really think I was going to keep a horse needing a vet check and shoes? No, I am going to send him back, let her pay for that stuff; think about it and then (maybe) realize I liked him better than the other horses and buy him. I tried to tell her cute stories about the adventures we had had that week, but geeze, she was cold and just shut me right down.
OH and not only THAT but when she brought Dakota down to the barn I am boarding at, I bought three bales of hay from her, so he would still be on the same feed duringn the trial. Then, when she came to get him she TOOK THE HAY THAT WAS LEFT BACK. I paid for that hay! But she had a serious stick up her butt, and I decided it was not worth it to make her unload my hay. Besides, I just wanted her gone. Keep the damn hay. Dakota was a good horse, though.
So, what does that have to do with the picture of the horse at the top of the page?
Well, I am next going to try Rocket, and he looks like a super model. He is 17 hands high and only 4 years old. It would not be out of the question for him to top out at 17.2hh. I have only ridden him once, and he acted out a bit then, but there were very extenuating circumstances ( first time in this particular covered arena, had not been ridden for eight weeks, and was on super hot feed, sort of accidentally.)
It does not look like it in the picture, but his black socks are well above the knee and hock. Sexy. And the cornrows don't hurt.
11.5.07
Visual Codec
Oh yeah, and I am in a book.
It is very exciting, and I am in great company. Here's a sample of some of the work and a list of the artists.
For info on buying a book of your very own, go to Visual Codec's website.
One Shot
It is very exciting, and I am in great company. Here's a sample of some of the work and a list of the artists.
Look!!
For info on buying a book of your very own, go to Visual Codec's website.
7.5.07
I am test driving a horse.
Dakota was delivered at 8:30 Saturday morning. 
He did great getting out of the trailer, just backed right out, and then stood there nicely -- no histrionics no slinging his head around, wall-eyed while he pranced like a dork. Very calm and level.
Linda, the owner-lady is lending me her saddle (western) for the trial period, so I at least have something to ride him in, but I just don't like western saddles. I don't get it -- unless I am roping a cow, I don't get the point. Anyhow yeah.
So of course I had a hair appointment in the city that day at 11:30, so I got Dakota comfortable - (I think I my call him Dak; Dakota is too ... meah.) Introduced him to his paddock and everything then went and got my hair done and then drove back to the barn for a ride. I am taking it very easy, mostly walking until I get past the saddle sore stage.
I lunged him and he does that really well, however I was not paying attention or something at first and the very first thing I did was get a finger caught in a kink in the line and twisted the hell out of it. So I have had my first injury.
Day two, Sunday:
I got to the barn at about 9:30 - put Dak in the arena so he could have a good roll,
and got to cleaning out the paddock (a daily must at this barn; part of the deal). While I was doing that this other boarder, Leslie, drove up. She is the woman who owns that Percheron gelding I rode a few times until she annoyed me so much I decided it wasn't worth it. She also drives a bright yellow Hummer. She is notorious at the barn for only occasionally showing up, leaving Sharon's elderly husband (OLD man, he is OLD.) to clean Blue's paddock. Well, she saw me there and decided that she was going to groom Blue, then bareback him a bit around the arena. Anyhow she did a thousand little things that just seemed needle-y and annoying, but nothing you could actually call her on; you know stuff where it would me me who was unreasonable, not her.
Okay, so moving on. Eventually I got in the arena and lunged and rode Dak, and he was a little squirrely, and challenged me on a couple of things -- nothing out of the ordinary, and never crazy or aggressive. So she kept going on and on about "Ooh, he is not so docile, is he? You better be careful you aren't sold a crazy horse -- they have this drug that calms them down that takes a month to wear off" blab blab blab.
Sharon, the barn owner, had gone into the loft to find a saddle she was storing in a plastic storage bin, and she hadn't sealed the container completely so a family of mice got in -- so when she opened the bin, a mouse jumped out. Sharon gave a little startled scream. Leslie, who was standing six feet in front of my horse let out a piercing giggly scream that obviously went a beat or two longer than it should have. Not that an idiot standing six feet in front of a new, unfamiliar green horse should be screaming at all. Dak was a champ, though--and while of course he reacted to the loud sound by tossing his head back, he did not crush me as he very well could have in the tie stall. Then, I swear to god SHE DID IT AGAIN. Only a little bit longer this time. Apparently mice you can't even see, across the barn in the loft are worth a FORTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD WOMAN TO SCREAM. TWICE.
Unperterbed. Looking like a mule, but still.
Since she couldn't get my horse to fucking kill me, she sort of wandered away, to chat with this other lady who was there. She sat in her Hummer with the engine running leaning out the window for at least a half an hour having a high ol' time yakking it up. Oh, and the best part? She has a yappy fucking dog who barked in the car the entire time she was there.
He did great getting out of the trailer, just backed right out, and then stood there nicely -- no histrionics no slinging his head around, wall-eyed while he pranced like a dork. Very calm and level. Linda, the owner-lady is lending me her saddle (western) for the trial period, so I at least have something to ride him in, but I just don't like western saddles. I don't get it -- unless I am roping a cow, I don't get the point. Anyhow yeah.
So of course I had a hair appointment in the city that day at 11:30, so I got Dakota comfortable - (I think I my call him Dak; Dakota is too ... meah.) Introduced him to his paddock and everything then went and got my hair done and then drove back to the barn for a ride. I am taking it very easy, mostly walking until I get past the saddle sore stage.
I lunged him and he does that really well, however I was not paying attention or something at first and the very first thing I did was get a finger caught in a kink in the line and twisted the hell out of it. So I have had my first injury.Day two, Sunday:
I got to the barn at about 9:30 - put Dak in the arena so he could have a good roll,
and got to cleaning out the paddock (a daily must at this barn; part of the deal). While I was doing that this other boarder, Leslie, drove up. She is the woman who owns that Percheron gelding I rode a few times until she annoyed me so much I decided it wasn't worth it. She also drives a bright yellow Hummer. She is notorious at the barn for only occasionally showing up, leaving Sharon's elderly husband (OLD man, he is OLD.) to clean Blue's paddock. Well, she saw me there and decided that she was going to groom Blue, then bareback him a bit around the arena. Anyhow she did a thousand little things that just seemed needle-y and annoying, but nothing you could actually call her on; you know stuff where it would me me who was unreasonable, not her. Okay, so moving on. Eventually I got in the arena and lunged and rode Dak, and he was a little squirrely, and challenged me on a couple of things -- nothing out of the ordinary, and never crazy or aggressive. So she kept going on and on about "Ooh, he is not so docile, is he? You better be careful you aren't sold a crazy horse -- they have this drug that calms them down that takes a month to wear off" blab blab blab.
Sharon, the barn owner, had gone into the loft to find a saddle she was storing in a plastic storage bin, and she hadn't sealed the container completely so a family of mice got in -- so when she opened the bin, a mouse jumped out. Sharon gave a little startled scream. Leslie, who was standing six feet in front of my horse let out a piercing giggly scream that obviously went a beat or two longer than it should have. Not that an idiot standing six feet in front of a new, unfamiliar green horse should be screaming at all. Dak was a champ, though--and while of course he reacted to the loud sound by tossing his head back, he did not crush me as he very well could have in the tie stall. Then, I swear to god SHE DID IT AGAIN. Only a little bit longer this time. Apparently mice you can't even see, across the barn in the loft are worth a FORTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD WOMAN TO SCREAM. TWICE.
Unperterbed. Looking like a mule, but still. Since she couldn't get my horse to fucking kill me, she sort of wandered away, to chat with this other lady who was there. She sat in her Hummer with the engine running leaning out the window for at least a half an hour having a high ol' time yakking it up. Oh, and the best part? She has a yappy fucking dog who barked in the car the entire time she was there.
3.5.07
I guess I have a rich fantasy life.
I dropped by my own blog today, and was shocked not to find a bunch of recent fabulously interesting posts. I pretty much have a running commentary about my riveting life constantly in my head; imagining I have my own camera crew like I was on Ladette to Lady or ANTM or something. Dear God!! Speaking of Tyra, did anyone watch America's Next Top Model last night when Tyra said "I go pee pee mamma, I go pee pee." (!!!!) Holy Crap! Or is that Wholly Crap? Regardless - Astounding! Anyhow, yes back to me. So I was surprised it had been so long since my last entry. I thought I would make one. So here you go.
18.4.07
Geeze Louise
I caught the worst cold last Tuesday. I didn't know I was sick until Wednesday morning when I woke up with shards of glass in my throat (the WORST sore throat I have had for a long time). I say I caught the cold on Tuesday because at Drawing Group I was Not In A Good Mood. Of course it didn't help that everyone was ANNOYING. (Hi Drawing friends! no offense meant - ! I was SICK.) I hope I didn't pass my disease on to anyone else.
Anyway, even before I decided to be SERIOUSLY UNHAPPY at drawing, I had decided that three plus years of drawing group was enough. I announced that April 24th, 2007 will be the last day of drawing at Gallery 110. So. It was fun, and I am happy I did it, but it is time for it to be over.
Next subject: I have one of those $15 cell phones. We got it when we were on vacation a couple of weeks ago so we could check in with the cat sitters. I wrote the phone number down someplace, god only knows where, and now I don't know what the number is. I have pushed a bunch of buttons on the phone, but I get frustrated/bored before I find where the little electronic demon keeps its number. I have no idea who I would give the number to anyway. I hate talking on the phone. I don't talk on the phone at home, why would I want to in public? harumph, my grey hairs are just bristling.
Anyway, even before I decided to be SERIOUSLY UNHAPPY at drawing, I had decided that three plus years of drawing group was enough. I announced that April 24th, 2007 will be the last day of drawing at Gallery 110. So. It was fun, and I am happy I did it, but it is time for it to be over.
Next subject: I have one of those $15 cell phones. We got it when we were on vacation a couple of weeks ago so we could check in with the cat sitters. I wrote the phone number down someplace, god only knows where, and now I don't know what the number is. I have pushed a bunch of buttons on the phone, but I get frustrated/bored before I find where the little electronic demon keeps its number. I have no idea who I would give the number to anyway. I hate talking on the phone. I don't talk on the phone at home, why would I want to in public? harumph, my grey hairs are just bristling.
2.4.07
Spring Break
Scott and I went on a roadtrip this past week, we didn't have any certain destination in mind other than "California-ish" (although i was hoping to make it to Big Sur - no such luck). For part of it, the weather was pretty bad, but all in all it was a beautiful and relaxing trip.
We spent the longest time in San Francisco, and did some touristy things - drove down the twisty part of Lombard - and some not so touristy things like an extensive tour of the SF dog parks. I am always surprised at how pretty San Francisco is, and leave wanting to move there.
But my garden is so pretty right now, I guess I will stay here. (even though the french drain has mysteriously stopped working and we have to dig it up and replace it. It's just one thing after another.)
We spent the longest time in San Francisco, and did some touristy things - drove down the twisty part of Lombard - and some not so touristy things like an extensive tour of the SF dog parks. I am always surprised at how pretty San Francisco is, and leave wanting to move there.
But my garden is so pretty right now, I guess I will stay here. (even though the french drain has mysteriously stopped working and we have to dig it up and replace it. It's just one thing after another.)
22.3.07
In the Garden
So on Monday it poured all day. This is remarkable only in that I had
planned to spend the day in the garden. Eventually I decided to go out
in the rain anyhow. I got totally covered in mud, and so did the dog,
but Look!! I now have a garden path down which I can easily be led.
The stones themselves are really pretty, they have mica in them so they are sparkly, and also beautiful rusty-red flecks and streaks.
Here is an action shot of the path:
King is not doing it right, he is supposed to have all his feet on the
stones, but the path is still new, and I think he will get the hang of
it. But still, it is not that hard.
And now the money shot:
.
the path leads right by the current Garden Star, my Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis
XXIII. IN THE GARDEN.
A bird came down the walk:
He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.
And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.
He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad, --
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head
Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home
Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, plashless, as they swim.
Emily Dickinson
planned to spend the day in the garden. Eventually I decided to go out
in the rain anyhow. I got totally covered in mud, and so did the dog,
but Look!! I now have a garden path down which I can easily be led.
The stones themselves are really pretty, they have mica in them so they are sparkly, and also beautiful rusty-red flecks and streaks.
Here is an action shot of the path:
King is not doing it right, he is supposed to have all his feet on the
stones, but the path is still new, and I think he will get the hang of
it. But still, it is not that hard.
And now the money shot:
.the path leads right by the current Garden Star, my Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis
XXIII. IN THE GARDEN.
A bird came down the walk:
He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.
And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.
He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad, --
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head
Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home
Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, plashless, as they swim.
Emily Dickinson
20.3.07
good dog
please ignore all the junk laying around the yard, we are a construction zone, after all...
13.3.07
Ladette to Lady
Oh my god, one of my very favorite TV shows Ladette to Lady is casting for Spring 2007.
It's a series from ITV1 but in the states it airs on The Sundance Channel and is about taking eight British binge-drinking floozies, and putting them through Eggelston Hall Finishing School. Here is a sample of some of these delightful girls:
Seriously, these girls are vile. I thought I was wild when I was in my twenties, but no.
The school's teachers are every bit as prissy and nit-picky as you would imagine (but in a good way).
Ironically enough, for as exacting as the teachers are, the website is riddled with mistakes. And no, I don't mean "Colour" instead of "color" I mean:
and
Seriously, do these people need a web designer / content manager?
Because I could move to London and help them out with that. No problem.
Maybe I should just apply to be on the show. Maybe they wouldn't notice I was a forty-something married lady who falls asleep at 10:01 pm.
But I would love to take the classes they have the ladettes take in the show: deportment, elocution,(whatever) sewing, flower arranging, etiquette and cookery.
Here is the schedule for the reruns of the new season.
It's a series from ITV1 but in the states it airs on The Sundance Channel and is about taking eight British binge-drinking floozies, and putting them through Eggelston Hall Finishing School. Here is a sample of some of these delightful girls:
Seriously, these girls are vile. I thought I was wild when I was in my twenties, but no.
The school's teachers are every bit as prissy and nit-picky as you would imagine (but in a good way).
Ironically enough, for as exacting as the teachers are, the website is riddled with mistakes. And no, I don't mean "Colour" instead of "color" I mean:
Iin addition to preparing for the Ball...
and
Wearing dresses they have made Eggleston Hall...
Seriously, do these people need a web designer / content manager?
Because I could move to London and help them out with that. No problem.
Maybe I should just apply to be on the show. Maybe they wouldn't notice I was a forty-something married lady who falls asleep at 10:01 pm.
But I would love to take the classes they have the ladettes take in the show: deportment, elocution,(whatever) sewing, flower arranging, etiquette and cookery.
Here is the schedule for the reruns of the new season.
2.3.07
Fantasy
| I got an orange tree Peony this year, I am so excited about it, it is going to be just gorgeous.... |
Someday.
| Peonies take at least one year to bloom at all, and three to four to bloom reliably. This is what it looks like right now. |  |
On a "I want my immediate gratification NOW" note, I got this excellent new Urban Compost Tumbler Yay! I don't know why this one is Urban as opposed to, what? Suburban? Are they calling it "Urban" because it is BLACK?!?!? I am just asking is all.
18.2.07
Look!
Scott has been working really hard on the bedroom, and we are so close to being done. The floor is solid bamboo, and the "wardrobe system" - Ikea, of course.
This closet is just huge, I can hardly stand it.
I have a horn collection, mostly deer, but some mountain goat and antelope, too. They will go on this wall.
This closet is just huge, I can hardly stand it.
I have a horn collection, mostly deer, but some mountain goat and antelope, too. They will go on this wall.
29.1.07
23.1.07
aeration
I have been having a really hard time lately. The wind storm, power outage, Jake's death, snow, ice, the horrible mess that the afore mentioned storms made of the yard... and my mom's illness. I feel like I can't complain about mom being sick, because that is hers - I feel like I am stealing her story or trying to make her sickness about me.
But part of it is about me, this hugely impacts my life, too. M&D are going to Arizona to visit family for a couple of weeks -- I was over at mom's house this last weekend when she told me she was upset because she was going to have to put her old cat, JD down. The boarding facility they use had gone out of business, and she just couldn't inconvenience anyone to come over twice a day to feed her. I was shocked, but suddenly realized that she also has had enough. And one more thing to take care of was just one thing too many. I told her I would take JD while she was gone. JD will have to stay in the basement, because my cats would freak out, but that is ok. M&D brought JD over yesterday, and she is a wonderful little cat. I am glad she is here.
I have a hard time trusting people, so I just don’t ask for help. I can’t trust that they won’t take my vulnerability, my moment of opening up to them and twist it around, or use it against me later. This has happened more than once, after all*. But I guess what I need to learn from this little episode is to know when it is ok to ask for a little help. But that is so much easier said than done. I am not sure that lesson can sink in.
*Yeah, I know I am no saint.
But part of it is about me, this hugely impacts my life, too. M&D are going to Arizona to visit family for a couple of weeks -- I was over at mom's house this last weekend when she told me she was upset because she was going to have to put her old cat, JD down. The boarding facility they use had gone out of business, and she just couldn't inconvenience anyone to come over twice a day to feed her. I was shocked, but suddenly realized that she also has had enough. And one more thing to take care of was just one thing too many. I told her I would take JD while she was gone. JD will have to stay in the basement, because my cats would freak out, but that is ok. M&D brought JD over yesterday, and she is a wonderful little cat. I am glad she is here.
I have a hard time trusting people, so I just don’t ask for help. I can’t trust that they won’t take my vulnerability, my moment of opening up to them and twist it around, or use it against me later. This has happened more than once, after all*. But I guess what I need to learn from this little episode is to know when it is ok to ask for a little help. But that is so much easier said than done. I am not sure that lesson can sink in.
*Yeah, I know I am no saint.
16.1.07
Ok, I have HAD IT.
So, more snow today. I am so tired of the weather-related drama. God knows I have enough drama in my regular life, without worrying if I can make it home.
these things could kill someoneThere are Icecicles on my house. And I am not happy about it.
11.1.07
Witch Hazel in snow
Here is the photo of the day, for yesterday January 10th. We got about six or seven inces of snow.
It took me an hour and a half to get home, or more accurately, to the bottom of the hill. I had to steer my truck into a snow bank to avoid hitting a jackknifed bus.
Then it took another hour to get the truck chained up, to drive the last block and get up our driveway.
It is pretty, though.
It took me an hour and a half to get home, or more accurately, to the bottom of the hill. I had to steer my truck into a snow bank to avoid hitting a jackknifed bus.
Then it took another hour to get the truck chained up, to drive the last block and get up our driveway.
It is pretty, though.
5.1.07
I know you are but what am I?
I attract the crazies. I know you think you do, but no, it is me.
I went out to grab a sandwich at a local shop for lunch; they have one of those "stand in one line and whichever employee is available next will help you" situations. So I am standing there waiting for someone to finish helping the people in front of me, so I can order my regular "3-cheesesandwich on rye, only except for three different cheeses can I just have the Havarti cheese"? Yes I realize that reduces the cheese by one-third, but no one actually needs 1 1/2 inches of cheese on a sandwich.
So anyhow, I am waiting there when a woman two people behind me says "Well I think I am just going to go ahead of you if you aren't going to order anything."
beat
I reply "I am just waiting for someone to be available to help me."
She continues to shoulder her way to the front of the line, looking at me like I am stupid. Now I know I work in Pioneer Square, home of the professionally crazy (aka our homeless veterans suffering fromPTS ) but she was not one of those. This was a Mom looking lady who can afford to have someone else cut and color her hair (in other words a 40-something woman pushing 200lbs with an expensive blond foil job). She stands in line in front of me, trying to get the attention of the harried teenager in the clutches of The Lunch Rush.
The woman behind me (and in front of he line-jumper just moments before) said "I guess she is really hungry."
So while the Line Jumping Lady (LJL)was distracted giving her order to someone who was busy helping someone else, another guy behind the counter took my order. I wanted to give him a little hug, I think he observed this whole thing out of the corner of his eye, and decided the LJL could just wait.
The lunch counter staff helped me and the lady behind me and the one behind HER before LJL. By the time they got to her she was absolutely red and vibrating with anger. I don't know why she stuck around. I would be surprised if she didn't get a little spit in her Turkey Club. You don't want to piss off underpaid teens who have access to your food. Everyone knows that.
I went out to grab a sandwich at a local shop for lunch; they have one of those "stand in one line and whichever employee is available next will help you" situations. So I am standing there waiting for someone to finish helping the people in front of me, so I can order my regular "3-cheesesandwich on rye, only except for three different cheeses can I just have the Havarti cheese"? Yes I realize that reduces the cheese by one-third, but no one actually needs 1 1/2 inches of cheese on a sandwich.
So anyhow, I am waiting there when a woman two people behind me says "Well I think I am just going to go ahead of you if you aren't going to order anything."
beat
I reply "I am just waiting for someone to be available to help me."
She continues to shoulder her way to the front of the line, looking at me like I am stupid. Now I know I work in Pioneer Square, home of the professionally crazy (aka our homeless veterans suffering fromPTS ) but she was not one of those. This was a Mom looking lady who can afford to have someone else cut and color her hair (in other words a 40-something woman pushing 200lbs with an expensive blond foil job). She stands in line in front of me, trying to get the attention of the harried teenager in the clutches of The Lunch Rush.
The woman behind me (and in front of he line-jumper just moments before) said "I guess she is really hungry."
So while the Line Jumping Lady (LJL)was distracted giving her order to someone who was busy helping someone else, another guy behind the counter took my order. I wanted to give him a little hug, I think he observed this whole thing out of the corner of his eye, and decided the LJL could just wait.
The lunch counter staff helped me and the lady behind me and the one behind HER before LJL. By the time they got to her she was absolutely red and vibrating with anger. I don't know why she stuck around. I would be surprised if she didn't get a little spit in her Turkey Club. You don't want to piss off underpaid teens who have access to your food. Everyone knows that.
3.1.07
bodhi asleep
This is the 1/2/07 photo of the day. I can't help it, I love my cats. Since Jake died (yeah, I am still on about that), she has become much more relaxed and happy. He was kind of a jerk to her.
Jake used to sleep right by my head, and I still find myself in the middle of the night moving my pillow down to make room. Last night for the first time Bodhi curled up there.
(Obviously this is not her on the bed, it is her on the underside of an upside-down chair, of course.)
Jake used to sleep right by my head, and I still find myself in the middle of the night moving my pillow down to make room. Last night for the first time Bodhi curled up there.
(Obviously this is not her on the bed, it is her on the underside of an upside-down chair, of course.)
29.12.06
This is already getting old
Ok, so I have already resorted to the "I have a lot of work to do" post. But really. that is all that is going on with me.
Have a Happy New Year, you all. I won't post again for a few days, I imagine.
This is what it looks like from the other direction.
12/28/06 - Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is one of my very favorite plants. It's spidery yellow petals with the vermillion florette in the center is all the more beautiful becase it blooms in the winter. This photo is of a fantastic tree in waterfall park. It is just covered in blossoms. I really needed this.
27.12.06
lichen 12-27-06
Inspired by photojojo's a photo a day post, I am going to try this. I tend to have a "follow through" problem with these sorts of things, but I think I would like to see the evolution of what interests me over a year.
I am still pretty shook up over the death of my cat, and was appalled to find out I only have 24 pictures of him, and those are too small to print. I was only thinking of keeping them "polite" for on-line viewing, I never realized how important it would suddenly be to have a small physical representation of him.
I took a ton more photos than that of course, I just didn't bother to save the ones I didn't think were good. I didn't know they all were good.
It makes me all the more sad that I forgot to take my camera over to my sister's house for Christmas this year. I don't have very many pictures of my mother, either.
20.12.06
Thank you, Jake.
My dear cat Jake was put to sleep on December 18th.
He came to us as a two-year old stray, who had been what they call an "intact male" for those first two years. He never did get over being a territorial tom.
Four years ago, he tangled with a car, and 36 hours later somehow made it home. His jaw and cheekbone were broken, he had broken ribs, and lost an eye. We patched him back together, and through it all he was the most loving, happy, purr-filled cat you have ever met.
Nothing got Jake down. He was one of those perpetually happy, hapless beings, tripping his way through life and into emergency rooms.
Scott and i joked that he cost more than caviar. The last time we figured it out it was well over $400 per pound. And that was before the last surgery .
Finally all the scrapping caught up with him, and he was infected with FIV. While there are tons of websites out there assuring you that it is not necessarily a death sentence, they did not know Jake. Jake would not be kept inside, and didn't just yowl to be let out, he went into stealth mode, and just slunk out without anyone noticing ever. He just suddenly would not be in the house. FIV is most easily transmitted from cats fighting - and i agonized over perhaps my cat infecting another person's cat.
Not to mention my other cats.
Finally on Sunday he got another infected wound. His immune system was not working at all and he had a terrible infection that would not heal, even after surgery and two rounds of antibiotics. He was in a considerable amount of pain.
He would not stay inside, he was miserable in the house. he could very well infect the other cats. There was the stress of yet another surgery, his fifth by my count.
Jake loved to be carried, but only on your left shoulder. Scott and Jake loved each other and he often sat on Scott's lap purring so loud you could hardly hear the radio. But Jake was "my cat". As soon as i came home from work, Jake would meow and meow until I picked him up. (his nickname was "Screamer") If he was in the house, he was either on my lap or asking to be held. His favorite toy was one of the long fronds of a palm tree I have in a large pot. He had an enormous love for us and we for him.
Thank you, Jake. We will see you around next time.
He came to us as a two-year old stray, who had been what they call an "intact male" for those first two years. He never did get over being a territorial tom.
Four years ago, he tangled with a car, and 36 hours later somehow made it home. His jaw and cheekbone were broken, he had broken ribs, and lost an eye. We patched him back together, and through it all he was the most loving, happy, purr-filled cat you have ever met.
Nothing got Jake down. He was one of those perpetually happy, hapless beings, tripping his way through life and into emergency rooms.
Scott and i joked that he cost more than caviar. The last time we figured it out it was well over $400 per pound. And that was before the last surgery .
Finally all the scrapping caught up with him, and he was infected with FIV. While there are tons of websites out there assuring you that it is not necessarily a death sentence, they did not know Jake. Jake would not be kept inside, and didn't just yowl to be let out, he went into stealth mode, and just slunk out without anyone noticing ever. He just suddenly would not be in the house. FIV is most easily transmitted from cats fighting - and i agonized over perhaps my cat infecting another person's cat.
Not to mention my other cats.
Finally on Sunday he got another infected wound. His immune system was not working at all and he had a terrible infection that would not heal, even after surgery and two rounds of antibiotics. He was in a considerable amount of pain.
He would not stay inside, he was miserable in the house. he could very well infect the other cats. There was the stress of yet another surgery, his fifth by my count.
Jake loved to be carried, but only on your left shoulder. Scott and Jake loved each other and he often sat on Scott's lap purring so loud you could hardly hear the radio. But Jake was "my cat". As soon as i came home from work, Jake would meow and meow until I picked him up. (his nickname was "Screamer") If he was in the house, he was either on my lap or asking to be held. His favorite toy was one of the long fronds of a palm tree I have in a large pot. He had an enormous love for us and we for him.
Thank you, Jake. We will see you around next time.
6.11.06
Drawing Marathon
I participated in a two-day workshop, eight hours of drawing each day. I really enjoyed myself, it was the first time I was able to really stretch out and do extended observational drawing since grad school. That was in 1998. Wow. The time. It is flying.
24.10.06
I can't believe it's not blogging
I had such high hopes starting this blog, but I see it has been over a month since I updated it. It is odd, because I think about blogging all the time. I see a plant growing out of the side walk and I think "I should take a picture of that and post it on my blog; then make some startlingly poignant observation about perseverance and beauty in the midst of adversity" or some other hackneyed observation. See? See what I just did there? I started with an idea to do something and then promptly talked myself into not doing it because it was not original enough or smart enough or whatever.
So, without further ado, on with the post: Scott has been really going gangbusters on the living room, and it is much further along than this, but here is a picture.
Yes, folks you are correct, the walls are GREEN. As I said, the living room is much further along now, with the window sills done and door framed in. The yellow of the pine looks great. I guess I will just have to post again soon, so you, dear reader, can see what I am talking about.
So, even when I do blog, I blog about something I didn't do and don't have a picture of. And so far, no links. Well, except to my own flickr site, and how egotistical is that? So apropos of nothing, Link!
So, without further ado, on with the post: Scott has been really going gangbusters on the living room, and it is much further along than this, but here is a picture.
Yes, folks you are correct, the walls are GREEN. As I said, the living room is much further along now, with the window sills done and door framed in. The yellow of the pine looks great. I guess I will just have to post again soon, so you, dear reader, can see what I am talking about.
So, even when I do blog, I blog about something I didn't do and don't have a picture of. And so far, no links. Well, except to my own flickr site, and how egotistical is that? So apropos of nothing, Link!
21.9.06
Montana was great as always
When I woke up on friday, there was frost on the ground. Alot of frost, not just wimpy frost, but the kind that crunches under your feet.
Lisa and I had a great time, we both got to ride at the same time for the first time. Cajun, who was in training the last time I was there, is a big puppy dog. Operative word, BIG. He's at least 17 hands now, and just three years old.
Lisa and I had a great time, we both got to ride at the same time for the first time. Cajun, who was in training the last time I was there, is a big puppy dog. Operative word, BIG. He's at least 17 hands now, and just three years old.
13.9.06
Out for hair
AAArrrgghh! It is Fall
Some unknown (to me) office elves decorate our break room door for what ever season or occasion on the calendar. You know, flowers and raindrops for spring, stars and stripes for 4th of July, Snowflakes for winter.
Well, this morning when I woke up, it was DARK. Dark dark. Not "the sun is up but behind a cloud", not "the dawn is breaking" but Nightime Dark. Oh, yes -- and drizzling.
I am not ready for summer to be over, and technically it is not, not until September 21, which is Eight Days Away. You would think people could wait a lousy eight days to start doing the "yay! fall!" thing.
Whenever you are just unreasonably mad, and it doesn't really match the proportion of the offence, my mom calls that "Out for Hair".
I came in this morning to this:
24.8.06
Scott and I went on a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Oregon Coast last weekend.
We got off to a late-ish start Friday evening after the initial panic of finding a cat sitter, packing, and then realizing we were starving and to eat. The drive down was uneventful, and as we drove through Longview, Scott said "Should we stop here or keep going?" We were both still ok, so on we went.
Next time, we stop in Longview. We got to Seaside around midnight, and there was not an available room anywhere. We gave up around 1:30 and finally just parked, and spent a rather sleepless night in the car with a dog who just could not get comfortable.
We got up bright and early, of course, and drove down to Rockaway -- we found a little cabin a block from the beach, and rented it right away. It was a nice little place, and they allowed dogs, so it was perfect, actually.
We had a great time, and packed in lots of touristy-sight-seeing. We had a great breakfast at The Fern Restaurant. We went to the Tillamook cheese factory to get some squeaky cheese (YUM!). Then we went to the Air Museum which is really cool, but the best part is the building. We watched the big elk herd there, too.
Sunday we drove around to a lot of different places, the most notable being the Whisky Creek Cafe in Netarts. We ate outside; they let King sit with us. They have the best garden burger with fries I have maybe ever had. Melted extra-sharp cheddar and asparagus spears were the burger highlights. Humm, I think I am hungry.
Of course I took photos, and they are on Flickr.
We got off to a late-ish start Friday evening after the initial panic of finding a cat sitter, packing, and then realizing we were starving and to eat. The drive down was uneventful, and as we drove through Longview, Scott said "Should we stop here or keep going?" We were both still ok, so on we went.
Next time, we stop in Longview. We got to Seaside around midnight, and there was not an available room anywhere. We gave up around 1:30 and finally just parked, and spent a rather sleepless night in the car with a dog who just could not get comfortable.
We got up bright and early, of course, and drove down to Rockaway -- we found a little cabin a block from the beach, and rented it right away. It was a nice little place, and they allowed dogs, so it was perfect, actually.
We had a great time, and packed in lots of touristy-sight-seeing. We had a great breakfast at The Fern Restaurant. We went to the Tillamook cheese factory to get some squeaky cheese (YUM!). Then we went to the Air Museum which is really cool, but the best part is the building. We watched the big elk herd there, too.
Sunday we drove around to a lot of different places, the most notable being the Whisky Creek Cafe in Netarts. We ate outside; they let King sit with us. They have the best garden burger with fries I have maybe ever had. Melted extra-sharp cheddar and asparagus spears were the burger highlights. Humm, I think I am hungry.
Of course I took photos, and they are on Flickr.
10.8.06
120 mph to zero in thirty seconds flat
So, I was supposed to have a show at Albion College in Michigan this September. I say "supposed to" because I got a letter Monday telling me that due to an "unfortunate accident" my show would be moved to Spring 2008.
After some hastily sent emails, I learned that a steam pipe broke in Albion's Bobbitt Visual Center, and did signignificant damage to the building and seriously threatened their extensive print collection.
So I am calling myself lucky that they decided to reschedule me instead of canceling my show all together.
I did get some new paintings done for the show, though. So that is good. Not all of them are done, exactly. Hey, I still had a week before I had to crate up the whole show and ship them off. Of course I wasn't done with the new paintings. I still had...hours.... to finish those paintings.
See the nearly finished paintings!! yay!
After some hastily sent emails, I learned that a steam pipe broke in Albion's Bobbitt Visual Center, and did signignificant damage to the building and seriously threatened their extensive print collection.
So I am calling myself lucky that they decided to reschedule me instead of canceling my show all together.
I did get some new paintings done for the show, though. So that is good. Not all of them are done, exactly. Hey, I still had a week before I had to crate up the whole show and ship them off. Of course I wasn't done with the new paintings. I still had...hours.... to finish those paintings.
See the nearly finished paintings!! yay!
20.7.06
Equine Art Show 2006
I have seen the announcement before; for an "Equine Art Show" at Emerald Downs, the local horse racing track. I have been curious enough to check it out, but never applied because it is such a rip-off. First, the show is only for five days, at a racing track, and costs $30 for one entry, $20 for each additional. Also, they have a cap of 250 entrants. When they reach 250 entrants, they stop accepting work. It doesn't matter what it looks like, in fact they don't accept images with your entry form and check. If your check is one of the first 250 to reach them, you are in. Due to this extremely high cheese factor, last year I didn't enter anything into the show.
This year, however, I got a bee in my bonnet I needed a group show for 2006 on my CV, and this one would look great, right? And who besides me would know it was such a weird deal?
Well now I have done it, so I never have to do it again. First off, the work is hung on those fabric coverd panel things they make cubicles out of. And there was not even a token attempt to light any of the pieces, at all. It was in a dark breezeway thing, in front of the betting windows. Then, there were little yellow stickers with a hand-written number stuck on each entry. Not on the wall beside the work - on the painting. Lastly, I think I was the only democrat in a five-mile radius, and felt more than a little bit threatened. (ok I exaggerate.) But still; Republicans.
I am glad I did it, and even more glad it is over. I took some photos, but not nearly enough. Some were way too dark for photoshop to rescue. Check it out -Equine Art Show 2006.
A lot of the paintings were super sentimental treatments of childeren with horses, or mares and foals. But
people really like to paint horses coming out of the gate.
This year, however, I got a bee in my bonnet I needed a group show for 2006 on my CV, and this one would look great, right? And who besides me would know it was such a weird deal?
Well now I have done it, so I never have to do it again. First off, the work is hung on those fabric coverd panel things they make cubicles out of. And there was not even a token attempt to light any of the pieces, at all. It was in a dark breezeway thing, in front of the betting windows. Then, there were little yellow stickers with a hand-written number stuck on each entry. Not on the wall beside the work - on the painting. Lastly, I think I was the only democrat in a five-mile radius, and felt more than a little bit threatened. (ok I exaggerate.) But still; Republicans.
I am glad I did it, and even more glad it is over. I took some photos, but not nearly enough. Some were way too dark for photoshop to rescue. Check it out -Equine Art Show 2006.
A lot of the paintings were super sentimental treatments of childeren with horses, or mares and foals. But
people really like to paint horses coming out of the gate.
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